Upgrade In-House or Migrate to the Cloud?

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Over the weekend, I received an invitation to a webinar about upgrading Microsoft’s Small Business Server (SBS) 2003 to the current SBS 2011 version.  Aimed at technology providers, the agenda is fairly straight forward … but troubling in how it exemplifies the problem with so many in-house solutions.

  • How to prepare clients and manage their expectations for a migration
  • What can go wrong and what to expect
  • Tools that will help you prepare for the migration
  • How to install Small Business Server 2011
  • The migration process
  • Using the Call Stack Window
  • How to remove Small Business Server 2003

While I agree with all of the topics and considerations, upgrading technology, particularly from one version of a product to a newer version, should not be this difficult.  And, in reality, migrating to new solutions need not be this difficult for most businesses.

For most small businesses, moving from Small Business Server to Google Apps for Business will be easier than upgrading Small Business Server in-house. Here is why:

  1. No need to add, replace, or upgrade hardware
  2. No need to upgrade Client Access Licenses (CALs) on every computer
  3. Dual delivery ensures zero data loss and little or no downtime
  4. Data migrates directly from server to cloud without complex data preparation procedures
  5. No need to also upgrade your email spam/virus protection — Postini is part of Google Apps
  6. No need to upgrade your email server backup solution — Message Archive & Discovery and/or enhanced backup services can be added instantly to your Google Apps domain
  7. No need to upgrade your mobile connections — Android, Blackberry, and iPhones integrate directly with Google Apps
  8. Easier remote access — your data is in the cloud, so you may no longer need your VPN, Citrix, or remote desktop service

While Google Apps for Business may not be the solution for every small business, it is a solution worthy of serious consideration.

Cumulus Global offers bundles that integrate Google Apps with value-add services to provide small businesses with a more complete and custom solution.  Click the links to learn more about Google Apps and the CumuluSuite for SoHo bundles.

 

Cumulus Global and Google Apps Host Executive Briefing at e-Marketing & Technology Summit

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Hartford, CT – February 21, 2012 – Cumulus Global and Google Apps aree-Marketing & Technology Summit hosting an Executive Luncheon at the Hartford Business Journal’s e-Marketing and Technology Summit on February 29, 2012, at Maneeley’s in South Windsor, CT.  The session, Real Business Value from Cloud Computing and Google Apps, intends to provide small and mid-size business owners and executives with research results and customer perspectives on the business value of cloud computing and of moving from on-premise systems to Google Apps for Business.  Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global, a cloud solutions provider recently awarded Premier SMB Reseller status from Google, will present the luncheon keynote.

“Beyond looking at hardware and software savings, Allen will present tangible ROI that companies gain from resulting improvements in teamwork, innovation, mobility, acquisitions, and eco stewardship,” noted Bill Kenney, Director of Events for the Hartford Business Journal.  “Adding this Executive Luncheon keynote to the e-Marketing and Technology Summit provides business owners with an unique opportunity to learn and to make better decisions.”

Allen will be joined by members of Google’s Enterprise Team, live from Google headquarters, to demonstrate some of the business-enabling features in Google Apps and to answer audience questions.

“I am honored to have this opportunity,” added Falcon.  “I look forward to sharing the research, discussing real customer experiences, and demonstrating value in a way that will help the audience better understand the opportunities that cloud computing, and Google Apps in particular, can provide to their businesses.”

The Executive Luncheon is sponsored by Cumulus Global and Google Apps for Business.  Registrants for the e-Marketing & Technology Summit may add the Executive Luncheon to their program at no additional cost.

Executives may also register for the lunch separately on the Hartford Business Journal’s website here. (https://hartfordbusiness.esecuretransactions.com/event_register.php?cf_form_name=event_cloudgoogle)

About Google Apps
Google Apps brings simple, powerful communication and collaboration tools to organizations of any size – all hosted by Google to streamline setup, minimize maintenance, and reduce IT costs.  With Gmail (including Google email security, powered by Postini), Google Calendar, and integrated Instant Messaging, users can stay connected and work together with ease. And, using Google Docs and Google Sites, which include word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and website creation tools, they can share files and collaborate in real-time, keeping versions organized and available wherever and whenever users work.

About Cumulus

GlobalCumulus Global (https://www.cumulusglobal.com), formerly Horizon Info Services, is a Google Apps Premier SMB Reseller helping small and mid-size businesses, non-profits, governments, and educational institutions thrive by delivering cloud computing solutions.  Serving clients from 1 to more than 1,000 employees across numerous industries, we align technology with our clients’ goals, objectives, and bottom lines. We leverage our expertise, vendor relationships, and a diversified range of best-of-breed cloud services to create custom solutions with tangible value.

Tuesday Take-Away: Style Management in Google Docs

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Those who know me recognize that my evangelistic zealousness for cloud computing is always tempered with a healthy dose of pragmatism.  I see the benefits, the efficiency, and the value of cloud computing and Google Apps well beyond the basic savings.   And yet, even I have not fully migrated off MS Office for some of my productivity needs.

Why?  I am a “moderate power user” of MS Office.  I rely on preset and custom styles to make formatting documents easier.  And until now, styles have been lacking in Google Docs. This is not a huge problem, I just never liked the size, font, and spacing selection of the standard Heading styles in Google Docs.

Fortunately, change is here.

In Google Docs, you can now change the default styles to meet your preferences.  To do so is simple.  First, set up the text they way you want it to look — font, size, attributes, line spacing, alignment, et cetera.  Next, pull down the style menu, click on the arrow next to the style you want to define, and select “Update to Match Selection.”  Voila!  You have a style.

There are a few limitations.  Most notably, your styles are saved for the document only and not as a default template.   You can, however, create a document as a style sheet, make it ‘read only’ and make a copy when you need a blank document with your style preferences.

As responsiveness to customer feedback and constant innovation lead to new features and capabilities in Google Apps, the case for Google Apps grows stronger.  Click here to learn more about the benefits.


Cumulus Global Becomes a Google Apps Premier SMB Reseller

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Premier SMB ResellerCumulus Global is now a Premier SMB Reseller for the Google Apps™ suite of communication and collaboration tools.  This new designation from Google enables customers to more easily assess a reseller’s expertise advising on, deploying, and supporting Google products.  Google moved Cumulus Global from an Authorized to a Premier Reseller based on the company’s expertise and success in helping small and mid-size customers deploy and use Google Apps.

“We are honored by Google’s recognition of our successful partnership”, stated Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global.  “We look forward to continuing to serve the needs of small and mid-size businesses, non-profits, schools, and governments.”

Beyond reselling Google Apps for Business, Education, and Government, Cumulus Global offers a range of packaged and custom deployment, migration, education, and support services.  Focusing on organizations with 1 to 1,000 users, Cumulus Global partners with customers to define and create solutions with respect to their unique technology, support, change management, and budgetary needs.  Cumulus Global packages and integrates Google Apps with internal systems and third party applications to provide complete solutions that meet its customers’ business needs and budgets.

”Participation in the Google Apps Reseller Program is a centerpiece of our evolution as a cloud solutions provider,” added Falcon.  “As a Google Apps Premier SMB Reseller, organizations interested in moving to the cloud will be better able to differentiate the skills and experience we will bring to the engagement.”

About the Google Apps Reseller Program
The Google Apps Reseller program includes companies globally that sell, service and customize Google Apps for Business for their customers. As a member of the Google Apps Reseller Program, Cumulus Global leverages training, support, and tools from Google to best serve the needs of its customers. Companies can learn more about Premier Reseller eligibility criteria and benefits by visiting the Google Reseller Program website at http://www.google.com/enterprise/resellers.

About Google Apps
Google Apps brings simple, powerful communication and collaboration tools to organizations of any size – all hosted by Google to streamline setup, minimize maintenance, and reduce IT costs.  With Gmail (including Google email security, powered by Postini), Google Calendar, and integrated Instant Messaging, users can stay connected and work together with ease. And, using Google Docs and Google Sites, which include word processing, spreadsheet, presentation and website creation tools, they can share files and collaborate in real-time, keeping versions organized and available wherever and whenever users work.

About Cumulus Global
Cumulus Global (https://www.cumulusglobal.com), formerly Horizon Info Services, is a Google Apps Authorized Reseller helping small and mid-size businesses, non-profits, governments, and educational institutions thrive by delivering cloud computing solutions.  Serving clients from 1 to more than 1,000 employees across numerous industries, we align technology with our clients’ goals, objectives, and bottom lines. We leverage our expertise, vendor relationships, and a diversified range of best-of-breed cloud services to create custom solutions with tangible value.

Allen Falcon Comments on Role of Distributors in Cloud Channel

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Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global, is quoted in the January 2012 cover story for CRN discussing the role of distributors in Cloud Computing marketplace.

Special Bulletin: Message Security, aka Postini, Goes Native in Google Apps

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A major change is underway within Google Apps for Business / Education / Government editions. Google is fully integrating the spam and virus protection of Google Message Security (GMS, aka Postini) into Google Apps and the cPanel.

While the transition starts in February, there are some caveats to the consolidation. As such, some organizations will want to maintain their stand-alone GMS service.

Currently, the newly integrated service provides for white list, black list, content filters, message filters, and spam sensitivity settings. The integrated service, however, does not have some of the features on which many of our customer rely. If you want/need any of the following, it is necessary to continue running stand-alone GMS for now.

  • Daily Quarantine Messages
  • Addition of Message Archive & Discovery and Message Encryption
  • Policy-Based TLS Encryption
  • Delivery Manager
  • Log Search
  • Reporting

The latter three are more of an issue for the IT folks, and TLS Encryption is transparent to the user.

The biggest user impact is the replacement of the daily quarantine message with the “Spam” label in Gmail.  Some users like the digest structure and the ability to deliver from within the message.  In using the Spam label, users can mark messages as “Not Spam” or can manage them from within the folder.

Also, until we are able to connect the Message Archive & Discovery and Message Encryption services directly to Google Apps, the stand-alone GMS environment will be needed.

If you have questions or concerns, do not hesitate to contact us.

Cumulus Global Offers Program Savings to American Express Cardholders

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Boston, MA – February 1, 2012 – Cumulus Global announced a new program of discounts for businesses that use an American Express card to pay for cloud computing services, including Google Apps for Business.  Businesses that pay with their American Express card will save up to 10% on setup and annual fees, including premium support services.  While the web page for the program (www.cumulusglobal.com/amex) targets businesses in the small office/home office, or SoHo, market, the program is open to businesses of all sizes.

“While Cumulus Global is not part of or in any way affiliated with the American Express OPEN® Savings Program, we are offering comparable discounts to businesses that pay by American Express”, stated Allen Falcon, CEO of Cumulus Global.  “Many small and mid-size businesses prefer to earn Membership Rewards® points or use other card features, such as Pay Over Time, on large purchases.”

Businesses with up to 50 employees can select from Cumulus Global’s range of CumuluSuite for SoHo solutions.  CumuluSuite for SoHo packages bundle Google Apps for Business with premium support services and a selection of value-add features, such as address book sharing, backup/recovery, and options for email compliance archiving and encryption.  CumuluSuite for SoHo gives smaller businesses comprehensive and affordable solutions for email, file services, communications, and collaboration.  Companies with more than 50 employees can contact Cumulus Global for other CumuluSuite options, custom solutions, and program savings ranging from 5% to 10%.

“With CumuluSuite for SoHo, we offer comprehensive solutions in a simple and affordable way”, noted Falcon.  “Larger companies often need more customized solutions.  We deliver those solutions and will extend discounts to larger companies that pay for some or all of their services with their American Express cards.”

The discount program for businesses paying by American Express is scheduled to end on March 31, 2012.  Falcon noted that, if successful, the program could be extended.  Program details are available at https://www.cumulusglobal.com/amex.

About Cumulus Global
Cumulus Global, formerly Horizon Info Services, is a Google Apps Authorized Reseller helping small and mid-size businesses, non-profits, governments, and educational institutions thrive by delivering cloud computing solutions.  Serving clients from 1 to more than 1000 employees across numerous industries, we align technology with our clients’ goals, objectives, and bottom lines. We leverage our expertise, vendor relationships, and a diversified range of best-of-breed cloud services to create custom solutions with tangible value.

Disclaimer
American Express is not a party or partner in this Cumulus Global Discount offer, nor has it been reviewed, endorsed or approved by American Express. No endorsement shall be implied, directly or indirectly, by the use of the American Express business card as the payment source for the Cumulus Global Discount offer.